Aspiring technicians and trades workers who wish to pursue a career in the energy sector can now apply for Transgrid’s 2023 apprenticeship program.
Transgrid is offering Electrical Substation Technician Apprentice roles at Eastern Creek, Newcastle, Orange, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Yass.
Telecommunication Technician Apprentice positions are also available at Eastern Creek, Orange and Yass, with Transmission Line Apprentice positions being offered in Wagga, Orange and Tamworth.
Transgrid Apprentice Lead, Kailee Standen, said the Apprenticeship Program will open many doors in the energy sector.
“I was fortunate to start with Transgrid as an Electrical Apprentice when I was sixteen – today I manage a team of 32 Substations and Telecommunication Technician Apprentices across our six regions,” Ms Standen said.
“I am very excited to announce our opening for our 2023 intake of Apprentices. As a Transgrid apprentice you will receive hands-on learning and development in a supportive and stimulating environment and may have the chance to work on some of Australia’s most important energy projects.”
First-year apprentice Josh Barker, 24, said the program has given him a valuable career transition as well as a variety of work at outdoor locations.
“I’d been a plumber for six years but was looking for something different and I wanted to become a Transgrid apprentice to gain skills in high voltage electricity in a company with a high safety standard that puts their employees first,” Mr Barker said.
“The highlight of my experience as a first year apprentice has been working up in the Snowy Mountains, it is such a beautiful part of the world and being up there in the snow for work while taking in the scenery was amazing.”
Seventeen year-old Lucia McLoughney from Cessnock is also a first year apprentice and is based at Newcastle.
Lucia was studying Electrotechnology at a local trade school when she met some of the Transgrid team at an employment expo.
“The insight I got from speaking with them opened my eyes to the work that Transgrid does. I had no previous knowledge but it sounded exciting so I decided to apply,” Ms McLoughney said.
“The apprenticeship so far has been both exciting and rewarding. I’ve learnt a lot in such a short period and the team of tradespeople that I work with have been supportive and are always there to impart their knowledge.”
Transgrid’s high voltage transmission network connects more than 3.5 million homes and businesses across NSW and the ACT and delivers safe and reliable electricity.
With the rapidly accelerating pace of Australia’s transition to clean energy, Mr Barker and Ms McLoughney say the future is exciting.
“What excites me about working in energy is knowing that we light up schools, homes and streets, and power local businesses, hospitals and everything in between,” Mr Barker said.
“There is a lot happening in Australia in the energy space. Transgrid plays a big part in future proofing the network and it means I get involved with the transition to a sustainable future,” Ms McLoughney said.
Applications for Transgrid’s 2023 Apprenticeships Program are now open and will close on 4 September 2022. For more information visit Transgrid’s website.
